FAST PACE OF LIFE AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH: RESULTS OF A STUDY FROM THE LARGEST CITY OF PAKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32413/pjph.v6i4.5Keywords:
Fast pace, physical health, mental health, spiritual healthAbstract
Background: Increasing modernization and mechanization have turned the life into fast pace and it has devastating effects on the health of the people.
Objective:To identify the perceptions of patients regarding fast pace of life and its impact on health.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at out-patients department of two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan; from January to March 2013. A total of 401 participants aged > 18 years were recruited through consecutive sampling. Data analysis was done using SPSS 19.0 and multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify impact of fast life.
Results: Out of total 401 participants, 55% of the patients were between 21-35 years of age and majority was females (75%). Majority of the participants was suffering from fast pace life (82%) and main reasons for fast pace life were competition and the increasing needs of the family. Those who were suffering from fast pace life were at risk of affecting their physical health (AOR: 2.6; 95% C.I:1.3-5.2), social life (AOR: 2.1 95% C.I:1.0-4.5), psychological wellbeing (AOR: 2.4; 95% C.I:1.2-4.5) and are more susceptible to stress and depression (AOR: 4.6; 95% C.I:2.3-9.3).
Conclusion: This study found that majority of urban population is suffering from fast pace of life with severe consequences on its physical, social and mental health. The society seems to be speeding up and becoming less empathic and increasingly stressful. This will have delirious effects on physical and mental health of people in the decades to come. Therefore, it is important for people to take time out for themselves and their families to keep themselves fit for survival in this fast moving world.